Ministry

I can’t think of a single time in history when someone accomplished something great by themselves. That’s because no one operates in a vacuum.
Our support systems and those we partner with contribute to our success. They help us build the foundation we need to succeed!
DOWN TIME is PREP TIME
We all hit rough patches. Have you ever experienced one of these situations?
The company downsized and your job was one of those they cut.
The loss of a loved one sent you in an emotional tailspin.
You made a mistake that led to the failure of whatever project you were working on.
Your business venture failed, even though you made sure you had all of the details worked out.
Any of these situations, and many more, can leave us feeling out of control, like failure and loss are taking over our lives. So what do you do? Let me tell you what I think. Those DOWN TIMES are actually our PREP TIMES.
All of the disciples suffered setbacks in their lives and ministries. When they met with failure or hardship, the first thing every single one of them did was pray.
This was a lesson Jesus taught by example over and over again....

To the incredible women in my world:
YOU are Amazing!
I have been thinking a lot about the role of women lately. I look around me at the amazing women in my life, and I am in awe. They are businesswomen, mothers, wives, sisters, preachers, counselors, nurses, doctors, philanthropists, prayer warriors, bankers, administrative professionals, artists, and so much more.
And every woman I know functions in multiple roles in her life – all at the same time!
That takes an incredible amount of energy and passion, and it can wear us down. Especially when we sometimes have to work against established ideas about our gender roles.
It's Time to Celebrate!
This year already, more than 5 million women have gathered worldwide to march, speak, and make their voices heard about the importance of equal rights and recognition for women. March 8 was International Women's Day, set aside to honor the value and leadership women bring to every aspect of our world—the marketplace, our homes, our churches, our government, our whole communities. Plus, I always look forward to honoring that especially treasured, permanent role of motherhood by honoring our moms every year on Mother's Day.
Yes, the world appears eager now to celebrate our womanhood, and I agree!
It's...

The first half of my Mother's Day post dealt with Marching over Painful Memories. Part two focuses on two more lessons motherhood has taught me. The first is:
M.inimize O.bstacles every M.oment
It is always too soon to quit!
“Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us.” 2 Tim 2:13
Big shots are only ‘little shots’ that kept on shooting! Keep going.
Rich and I have been married over 40 years. 40 YEARS! People have asked me, how have you stayed married and not gotten divorced? The answer: We didn't get divorced.
We did not talk about divorce. We never really considered it an option. Here is the secret to a long happy marriage—STAY married. The same goes with life. Don’t give up on your business, your dream for success, your dream for health.
God blesses us to be a blessing. What prayer are you praying for? Instead of praying with a motivation of ‘ME,' pray from this question: If God answers this prayer through me, who will I bless with the answer?
The secret to being a happy Christian is caring for others and doing for...

The heavy wooden beam of the cross hung across His lacerated shoulders as the procession of the condemned Christ and his executioners began its slow journey from the Roman jail to his crucifixion site. With enormous blood loss and in shock, Jesus stumbled and fell.
When they arrived at Golgotha, the beam was placed on the ground and Jesus was thrown backward with His entire body pressed against the wooden stake. The soldiers stretched his arms against the cross beam.
The Roman soldier then grabbed his arm, and dug into Jesus wrist to locate the depression at the top of his hand. Once the executioner was satisfied he had found the spot, he then drove a heavy, square, wrought iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. He moved to the other side and repeated the action.
I imagine Jesus, turning His head toward the nail just as the soldier lifts the hammer to strike it. I imagine Jesus seeing the mallet, the nail, and the soldier’s hand. I also believe that Jesus saw something else. Through the eyes of scripture we can see what those who were there that Friday could not see. But Jesus knew it was there.
Colossians 2:14 states,
He...